In the statement made on DMM’s NSosyal account regarding the allegations, it was stated that Türkiye is an independent and sovereign state and the following was noted:

“Allegations on some social media accounts such as “Trump instructed Türkiye to attack Iran, Turkey is part of a secret military plan against Iran, Turkey requested the lifting of CAATSA sanctions to join the war against Iran” are not true.

Türkiye as an independent and sovereign state; It determines and implements its foreign policy and security decisions solely by itself. Statements to the contrary are completely unfounded and malicious. There is no such thing as Türkiye going to war against Iran and offering any conditions for this purpose, including the removal of CAATSA sanctions.

“We are kindly requested not to rely on such content intended to manipulate public opinion.”

Claims on some social media accounts such as “Trump instructed Türkiye to attack Iran, Turkey is part of a secret military plan against Iran, Turkey requested the lifting of CAATSA sanctions to join the war against Iran” are not true. Türkiye… pic.twitter.com/uSgbi9Xt9n

— Center for Combating Disinformation (@dmmiletisim) March 3, 2026

The Ministry of Internal Affairs announced that Bolu Mayor Tanju Özcan, who was arrested within the scope of the ‘Extortion by force’ investigation, was suspended from duty.

In the written statement made by the Ministry, “Bolu Mayor Tanju Özcan was suspended from office by the Ministry of Internal Affairs as a temporary measure in accordance with Article 127 of the Constitution and Article 47 of the Municipality Law No. 5393, upon his arrest with the decision of the Bolu 2nd Criminal Court of Peace dated 02.03.2026 and Query number 2026/48, within the scope of the investigation carried out against him for the crime of ‘Extortion by force’.” It was said.

TANJU ÖZCAN AND HIS HELPERS WERE ARRESTED

Mayor Tanju Özcan and Deputy Mayor Süleyman Can, who were detained in the “extortion” operation against Bolu Municipality, were arrested by the court to which they were referred. Within the scope of the investigation carried out by the Bolu Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, the procedures of the 13 suspects who were detained by the Provincial Gendarmerie Command teams were completed. The suspects, who were brought to the courthouse accompanied by security measures, were taken into the courthouse through the back entrance door. Özcan and Deputy Süleyman Can, two of the suspects whose statements at the prosecutor’s office were completed, were arrested by the court to which they were referred and sent to prison. Within the scope of the investigation carried out by the Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, an “extortion” operation was carried out against Bolu Municipality on February 28, and Özcan and Deputy Mayor Can, Financial Services Manager NA, BolSev Foundation Chairman AS, municipal council members HES, B.Ö. and CG, former Police Chief HY, former Human Resources Manager and current Fire Chief MA, former Registrar TA, former municipal council member and Bolu Bel AŞ Chairman ET, Zoning Director SP and zoning directorate staff YB were detained. Except for Tanju Özcan and Süleyman Can, the other names were released with a judicial control decision.

OYAK Chairman Zekai Aksakallı, OYAK General Manager Murat Yalçıntaş and his accompanying delegation visited Anıtkabir on the occasion of the 65th anniversary of the establishment of OYAK, the retirement fund of the Turkish Armed Forces personnel.

The ceremony started with a delegation consisting of members of the General Assembly, the Board of Directors, the Auditing Board and the staff of the institution, walking on the Lion Road. OYAK Chairman of the Board of Directors Zekai Aksakallı left the wreath consisting of red and white carnations to the mausoleum of Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.

After laying a wreath, a moment of silence was observed. After the moment of silence, the delegation went to the National Pact Tower and took a souvenir photo on the steps of Anıtkabir.

IN THE PRESENCE OF ATATURK ON THE 65TH ANNIVERSARY OF FOUNDATION

OYAK Chairman of the Board of Directors Zekai Aksakallı wrote the following in the Anıtkabir Special Book:

“Great Leader Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the Founder of our Republic, we are proud to be in your presence on the 65th anniversary of the Army Relief Organization, which was established and maintained by the hard work of the devoted and devoted members of our army who ensured the survival of our country at the expense of their blood and lives at home and abroad.

Within the scope of the investigations carried out by the Terrorist Crimes Investigation Bureau of the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, 5 of them are officers, 5 of whom are on duty, who were found to have communication and contact with the FETO/PDY armed terrorist organization’s structure called ‘confidential services’, which targeted the Land Forces Command and was found to communicate and communicate with civilian imams by using pre-paid landlines in public workplaces such as kiosks, grocery stores and markets in various districts in Ankara. A total of 22 suspects were identified, including petty officers, 9 previously dismissed or retired officers and petty officers, 1 serving public personnel and 2 previously dismissed military students. It was decided that they would be detained simultaneously in 9 provinces centered in Ankara.

15 OF THEM WERE DETAINED

While 15 of the suspects were caught and detained, 4 of them were determined to be abroad. Efforts to capture 3 suspects continue. It was learned that the procedures for the transfer of the captured suspects to the Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office were continued by the Ankara Provincial Police Department Anti-Terrorism Branch Directorate teams.

MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli said, “The USA’s attack on Iran, provoked and organized by Zionism, is of a nature to cripple regional and global balances. This aggression is illegitimate, illegal and immoral.” he said.

At his party’s Grand National Assembly Group Meeting, Bahçeli said that Türkiye should act with common sense and calmness, and support and encourage peaceful efforts at a time when regional and global tensions are very high.

Recalling the attacks of the USA and Israel against Iran, Bahçeli said, “The USA’s attack on Iran, provoked and organized by Zionism, is of a nature to cripple regional and global balances. This aggression is illegitimate, illegal and immoral.” he said.

Bahçeli stated that there is no one who recognizes and abides by international law and said, “Remember when the negotiations were continuing? Where were the negotiations continuing and it was claimed that they were close to an agreement and compromise?” he said.

Recalling that after the negotiations held in Geneva on February 26, mediator Omani Foreign Minister Bedr bin Hamed al-Busaidi announced that Iran had agreed to zero enriched uranium, Bahçeli said:

“The USA and Iran simultaneously gave messages that there was progress in the negotiations. It was even announced that the ongoing talks after Geneva would continue in Vienna. It is absolutely despicable that Israel attacked Iran’s religious leader Ali Khamenei while he was in a meeting with senior politicians and bureaucrats in order to discuss the developments regarding the negotiations on Saturday, February 28, 2026, and as a result, the massacre of those present at the said meeting. Spies were Iran’s most key and “They gradually infiltrated their private areas. The castle gate was not locked when the traitors and agents were inside. Zionist banditry pushed and pushed the USA to attack Iran. A trap was set for Iran under the guise of negotiations. After Khamenei’s death, Mossad agents recorded the snapshots under the ruins and sent them to Netanyahu’s office. What is it?”

– “I wonder when do you hope to see that if our internal front is shaken, our right and left will be filled with poisonous vermin?”

Stating that Iran’s top management and military and strategic infrastructure were targeted, Bahçeli pointed out that the Tehran administration had to submit to intelligence games and operations carried out within this framework.

Stating that his purpose was not to explain in detail the attacks carried out by the US-Israel coalition against Iran, Bahçeli continued his speech as follows:

“Our aim is to explain and express that there are lessons we need to learn from the multi-dimensional attacks targeting our neighbor Iran, and that it is urgent at the survival level to see how close and brutal the threat has become. I think the importance of the home front and the value of national unity and solidarity are much better understood and clarified. It is both impossible and inappropriate to isolate and think of our country separately from the terrible calamities that have befallen our neighboring country Iran. It is both impossible and inappropriate to sneer at the goal of ‘Terror-free Türkiye’.” Ignorant people, do you see better what we are doing and what we aim for? Do you draw any conclusions from the circle of fire around us, the mixed mentalities that shamelessly distort our sincere and genuine call to the Turkish-Kurdish brotherhood and attack the February 27 call of the founding leadership of the PKK from every angle?

MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli: A trap was set for Iran under the guise of negotiations | Video

When do you think the political freaks who try to compete with us, compete with us, compete with us, and even try to manipulate us in an arrogant manner regarding the love of homeland and nation, national unity and brotherhood, will understand what kind of disaster and catastrophe we have come back from? I wonder when do you hope to see that if our internal front is shaken, our right and left will be filled with poisonous vermin? The collaborator grandchildren of those who said ‘Let the Bulgarian take Edirne instead of Enver’, the non-nationals who pretend to be so-called nationalists, I ask you, what are you disturbed about in Türkiye, which is united, alive and united with one heart? Our vote was for this and that, it was all a waste of time, it was all in vain. What should we do with the vote when the country and the nation are lost, when the state rule loses its personality? How should we do politics? What should we say to our future generation? What excuses should we make in front of our ancestors? After all, you don’t have an egg crate on your back. Whatever you eat is in front of you, and what you don’t eat is behind you. “You have one hand in the honey and the other in the oil.”

“A COWARD DIES EVERY DAY, A HERO DIES ONE DAY”

Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett’s “Türkiye is the new Iran” and Turk and Türkiye enemy Michael Rubin’s “Will Ankara be the same in 2036 and Tehran in 2026?” Quoting his words, Bahçeli said, “Since such allegations have become widespread in recent days, it is naturally not possible for us to ignore these perverted views and threats.” he said.

Bahçeli used the following statements:

“I say that there is no village beyond death, because the historical and spiritual truth that if we die we become martyrs and if we stay we become veterans, it is also mandatory. God Almighty has not yet granted or created a holy will that has this belief, a great nation that has this will, a hostile focus that will threaten, subjugate and take over the magnificent heroism of the Turkish-Islamic ideal that has sealed its seal on the earth. Who is above us? “If anyone is coming, they have to accept the grandeur and violence they will see. No one should think that we will stop calling right right and wrong wrong. If we die, we will be resurrected as a thousand, if we die as a thousand, we will protect this country and this nation until the end. Every day, a hero dies. We are not cowards, but the victims of a heroic nation today.”

Bahçeli wished God’s mercy to those who lost their lives along with Iran’s religious leader Ali Khamenei, and expressed his patience and condolences to the friendly, brotherly and neighboring country, the people of Iran.

“How can we not take a lesson from the fact that nearly 50 people in the highest positions of a state are targeted at the same time and exposed in the same way? How can we comment on such a violation of precautions and caution?” Bahçeli also touched upon the conflicts between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Bahçeli wished that the conflicts between Pakistan and Afghanistan would end and the disputes would be ended by mutual agreement.

 ”WE WANT PEACE, WE WANT PEACE”

Bahçeli, who wants peace to prevail in every part of the geography that includes Türkiye, emphasized that there are no winners in war, but there are many winners in peace.

Underlining that peace is the only reality that should rule and dominate the world, Devlet Bahçeli said, “The conflict between Afghanistan and Pakistan and the US-Israel partnership’s war with Iran should be directly intervened with peaceful solution strategies. It is our sincere wish and expectation that the peace environment will flourish under the leadership of our President and with his admirable intense diplomatic contacts. There cannot be a loser of peace and a winner of war. Fighting instead of making peace is murder. Every country that does not want to be a party to this murder has peaceful ambitions and goals.” “They must unite around each other, make agreements and join hands.” made his assessment.

Bahçeli stated that the political and territorial integrity of the Islamic Republic of Iran must be protected and said, “The future of the Islamic Republic of Iran will be determined and ensured only by the will of the people of this country, not by zionist-imperialist impositions. Apart from this, every physical force, every trick, every dark scenario will mean a fundamental violation of international law and the United Nations Charter, and will be referred to as a crime against humanity. Iran belongs to the Iranians. The division of this country into ethnic and sectarian categories is Turkey.” “We want peace, we want peace, and we reject the Zionist imperialist brutality to the end.”

Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan met with Ankara representatives of media organizations at iftar.

Answering the questions here, Minister Fidan said the following when asked about the scenarios regarding the course of the war between Iran and the USA-Israel:

“The developments may put both the future of our region and global stability at risk. Iran’s direct targeting of US bases in Arab countries in the region increases the possibility that the steps taken will turn into a larger regional security crisis. Another topic is the Strait of Hormuz. Closing the Strait could lead to serious fluctuations in the global financial and energy markets. This could force the US to get results in a short time. On the other hand, we see that the attacks did not lead to a very significant movement in Iran’s proxies in the region in the first stage. But There have been some movements on the Hezbollah side, but there does not seem to be a fluctuation among the Iranian people at a scale that will “result in regime change”.

The most negative scenario under current conditions is this: The conflict will continue to escalate and an environment of instability will be created that will engulf the entire region, including Iran. In addition, there is an energy dimension. Cutting off the flow of natural gas from Iran or experiencing a serious disruption in energy imports from the Gulf countries could pose a significant risk to energy supply security on a global scale. We study the military, security, political, economic and energy dimensions of this issue separately; We continue our preparations on the steps that can be taken according to possible scenarios. Our basic wish and demand is clear: Mutual attacks should stop as soon as possible and diplomacy should be resumed. “We emphasize this clearly in all our meetings.”

“We even delayed the start of the war.”

On the question of how long the war will last, Minister Fidan said, “Netanyahu, of course, wants a threat called Iran to be eliminated, both for today and for the future. What he defined the threat as, he defined it as the capabilities that Iran has. Now he goes beyond the capabilities and defines it as the regime itself. He has the goal of regime change. The war was what we were trying to prevent from happening. We fought for it. Frankly, we also offered creative solutions. In fact, we even delayed the start of the war. In fact, the war was going to start earlier, we took a little longer.” We delayed it with these efforts. Maybe they could have achieved a result, but they chose to return to the old method. Again, this war started in the middle of the negotiation. The Iranians actually describe the issue of starting the war in the middle of the negotiation as a betrayal of diplomacy. We need to seriously look at what will happen next.

Of course, here it is necessary to look at the intentions of the attacking forces. I think Israel and the USA will want to prevent Iran from being a threat in the future. Now Iran is also making efforts to generate costs. It is also currently generating costs by bombing energy targets in the Gulf. Frankly, we will see how long this cost will continue and what will happen. But it doesn’t seem like the answer Iran expects will come… Iran will say that by bombing these places, they should put pressure on America, stop the war, etc., but that doesn’t seem to happen. “I don’t know how much Iran has left… However, Iran can really disturb Israel with missiles and drones, if it uses them seriously,” he said.

Minister Fidan said the following when asked about the PKK presence in Iran:

“Now, we have seen signs of a similar movement in the region in the first war. Now, we are closely monitoring whether there will be a movement or not. In other words, we see that Kurdish groups of different stripes have come together and formed an alliance and made joint statements. Of course, we follow these closely. How long will they fight the regime, how long will they fight other ethnicities in their places, what will happen, what are they aiming for, what comes from where, we follow and analyze all of them.

PKK, like all terrorist organizations, is a structure that takes advantage of the weaknesses and divisions in the countries they are in. There is a process currently ongoing in the Parliament regarding terrorism-free Turkey, the Commission has completed its report. From now on, political parties’ compromises, ideas, harmony among themselves… What kind of decisions will they make? From now on, there will be a basis for discussion. But what we see is that in order to have a terrorist-free Türkiye, there must be a terrorism-free zone. We always have to use this to correct the technical language a little. The terror-free zone issue is an issue that concerns Syria, Iraq and Iran. Unless the organization puts its own will into the equation here, it is not possible to take certain steps in a Terror-Free Türkiye. We are following closely. The political process within is a separate issue. As I said, the political parties have now received the report. They are watching, and they will probably make a decision themselves. Let’s see in the new period.”

Regarding the possibility of Iran targeting the island of Cyprus, Minister Fidan said, “I am not thinking about it at the moment. I think the risk in the south is limited, very limited. There may not be much for civilian facilities.”

Asked whether the Gulf countries will respond to Iran, Minister Fidan said, “Of course, they do not officially declare it, but there are some claims that the countries in the region are responding to Iran. We hear these claims too. This may be true.”

Is there a possibility that the attacks will be directed towards Türkiye?

“Is there a possibility that the attacks will be directed towards Türkiye?” Minister Fidan said, “I am speaking independently of the Iran issue: Türkiye always protects itself. We have the will and the ability to do this.”

Minister Fidan explained the international efforts to end the tension as follows:

“We continue the necessary initiatives with all our interlocutors with sensitivity. We are making intense efforts to ensure tranquility and re-establish an environment of peace. Maintaining stability in Iran and our region in general is critical. For this reason, we say at every opportunity that the conflicts must end as soon as possible and the diplomatic process must begin.

Actually, there is no single-layer negotiation here, there are multi-layer negotiations. First, can we bring the warring parties back to the table? When will the attacking party stop or be ready to stop its attack? The minimum is to achieve a military inadequacy that will satisfy them. The minimum is the condition of stopping the war… The maximum is regime change. That is, the war can end with the destruction or neutralization of basic military capabilities at the earliest, and with a regime change in Iran at the latest. Achieving this minimum requirement will require a certain period of time and a certain sequence of military operations. Iran is a wide geography. Missile systems, radar systems, air defense systems, electronic warfare systems and naval forces are dispersed in many places.

We have been talking with Europeans for a few days, Kaja Kallas called and asked. France called today, we talked for a very long time. Now he wants to speak German. Merz spoke with our President. Ursula von der Leyen called in the same way. If you want peace, let’s work together. We are driving them to action. Currently, Gulf countries are facing a serious situation. We are talking to Omanis. There, Oman is still trying to do something. “We’re talking to the Americans.”

“We have approximately 20 thousand citizens in Iran, including dual citizens.”

Minister Fidan said the following about the situation of our citizens in the Region:

“On the one hand, we continue our contacts for a diplomatic solution, and on the other hand, we closely monitor our citizens in conflict zones. So far, we have not had any citizens injured or killed in the incidents.

We have approximately 20 thousand citizens in Iran, including dual citizens. As of now, both our Turkish citizens and third country citizens can pass into our country without any problems through our three border gates with Iran. We have a call center, our Consulates General, our Embassies, the General Directorate of Consular Affairs and Citizenship Affairs here, that is, we work 24 hours a day. We receive a report every hour. Currently, there is not a big problem in terms of life safety, but there was a problem especially in the return of our citizens who were on holiday in Dubai because the airspace is closed except for Saudi Arabia. I think Saudi Arabia has opened its airspace as of yesterday. Our citizens can come by plane via Riyadh or Jeddah. There are also those who live and work there. There may not be many people on holiday. We are in close communication and communication with them. “1500 citizens from all over the region reached our Consulate Call Center and requested information.”

Asked about the possibility of a migration wave, Minister Fidan said, “We have been holding a coordination meeting with the relevant units under the coordination of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs since the last June War. Internal Affairs, AFAD, Red Crescent, Defense, MİT… We are making all kinds of planning. May our people be of peace in this regard. We have the necessary means and planning. Currently, Iran does not remove its own citizens from the border. Iran does not allow it at the moment. Therefore, no one from Iran is coming to us at the moment. But right now, the Iranian people, as we saw in the previous war, 12-13 days.” “They did nothing the entire time,” he said.

Effects of the war on Gaza

Minister Fidan said the following in response to the questions asked:

“Of course, it has a bad effect, it will have a bad effect. Now, Israel is stopping the entrance and exit to Gaza, you know, because of the war, and the other countries that have been hit are the countries we work with in Gaza, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, etc. These are all countries we work with. Except for Egypt, these countries now have other urgent fires on their heads and inevitably their agendas change. On the Palestine issue, as we said before, we have the will to support all kinds of platforms. Humanitarian aid has been continuing from the beginning, I guess they are giving more than us.” “Therefore, we do not need to make a separate cash declaration, in-kind aid is provided constantly. Apart from that, there has not been a request from us in the current composition regarding the International Peace Force, and we are doing this as well.”

Doesn’t Israel want CAATSA sanctions to be lifted?

“Israel does not want neighboring countries to acquire certain talents. It is currently going in that mode. Let’s see if these struggles will continue. Everyone will play their own cards in one way or another.

Efforts are being made to obtain a result from CAATSA before the by-election. We took political steps. We’ll see.”

European security architecture

“As you know, the Europeans have taken this further among themselves, in the field of advanced defense industry, such as SAFE. Let’s become a little more independent from American defense systems, but there is currently no comprehensive study or plan to do something with Europe’s own troops outside of NATO, where there are no NATO troops. There are searches, there are discussions. We follow and follow the discussions closely. Both we and our diplomats intervene where necessary. This is our stance, the stance of our President: If there is a formation in our own neighborhood, we will always be involved in it. We are ready to be together.”